With last week's press conference and the drama consuming Apple-watchers' attention around the world, not much truck has been paid to the whereabouts of the white iPhone 4 of late. After all, if they can't get the black on sorted out, who needs the white one? Fortunately, Engadget has taken the time to explore what's been holding up the release of the white iteration of the handset. What does their Magic Eightball tell them?

Next week's free iPhone 4 cases are already under way. Apple has prepared the online store by removing the Bumper cases from the U.S., UK and French online Apple store and labeling them as "Currently Unavailable." Free cases aren't available just yet, as the company is currently going through the refund process with plenty of other eager customers.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs took the stage on Friday to make a convincing argument that antenna “death grip” problems are universal among modern smartphones, but not surprisingly, some of his competitors are unhappy about being singled out.

So, it looks like Apple decided to play big kids and own up to the iPhone 4 reception issues after all. Free bumpers! Free cases! Other smartphones have the same problems! The iPhone 4 only drops marginally more calls than the previous model! Wait, run that last one by us again. And when you're done processing this particular bit of news, check out the other goings on around MacTown with the other big kids on the block, Mac|Life.

It's been a busy day not only for Apple CEO Steve Jobs who appeared on stage with damage control guns blazing, but also for the journalists who follow the the Cupertino-based tech company's every move. Jobs made it very clear that he wasn't thrilled with the media coverage of the iPhone's reception issues. If you took the time to check out our live blog coverage of today's press conference, you'll know that the MacLife staff, as well as the staffers from our sister publication MacFormat, have come to a few of our own conclusions on this manner. Some positive, others not so much.

But what does the rest of the blogosphere have to say about Apple's response to Antenna-gate? We took the time to check on what our journalistic colleagues had to say via email, smoke signal, and good old-fashion research to see if Jobs' infamous Reality Distortion Field was able to woo the media into a state of satisfaction.

In case you were stuck under a rock this morning, and couldn't get to the nearest live blog (including ours), Steve Jobs has announced that Apple will be offering free bumpers and third-party cases with every iPhone 4 purchased up until the end of September 30th. Additionally, those who have purchased bumpers will be able to get a full refund until that date, without having to pay a restocking fee.

Apple then announced that it will be releasing the white version of its iPhone 4 later this month, and that the proximity sensor issue should be fixed. Also, the iOS 4.0.1 update that was released yesterday is intended to fix the signal bar strength issue, as well as a Microsoft Exchange folly.

Apple Fanboys of the world: PAY HEED! It's time to get das zelt out of storage, pack up a plen stol to sit in and bring a coverture électrique just in case those nights of saving yourself a space in line outside your local Apple Store gets too cold. That's right, the Apple faithful have heard the clarion call--iPhone 4 will become available to consumers in more international locales on July 30th.

Join us for live coverage of Apple's iPhone 4 press conference. We'll be covering the event beginning at 10am PDT live from Cupertino. In addition to timely updates, we will offer up our own delicious brand of wit and wisdom with our good friends over at MacFormat.

Also, we'll be fielding questions from our readers. That's you! It's going to be an international roundtable of iPhone 4 coverage. Whether you pronounce it aluminum or aluminium, it's going to be fun.

Speculation is running rampant about what Steve Jobs & Co. might try to pull off tomorrow with their emergency press conference. Will they man up, and admit that there's some issue of some kind that needs addressing? Or will Steve pull a Jedi mind trick on everyone, all the while publicly flogging AT&T, Consume Reports, and anyone else who gets in the way of his plan for worldwide domination? More importantly, how will you react?